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“Manslaughter” For Woman Who Killed Boyfriend
posted (September 3, 2010)
Tonight, Leshawn Lino is spending her 25th birthday in lockdown at the Ladyville police station. That's because last night she stabbed her boyfriend and baby's father to death with a single slice across his throat.

But, it is manslaughter, not murder, because, again, there was a long history of abuse while culminated in the fatal stabbing. And interestingly, both the Deceasedd and the accused are the children of ranking police officers.

The man in the middle of it all is the officer in charge of the Ladyville Police Station, Inspector Calbert Flowers.

Insp. Calbert Flowers
"Ladyville police responded to the report of a stabbing incident where police visited an area on Cahal Pech Street in Lord'd Bank where the apparent lifeless body of a slim dark skin male person was seen lying on the ground face down."

Jules Vasquez, Reporting
That body was 23 year old Shamir "Metro" Henry - a former BDF soldier - and he was found here on Cahal Pech Street in front of his girlfriend and baby mother Leshawn Lino's family home. He had gone to visit her - but police say they started a physical fight and she stabbed him: v Insp. Calbert Flowers
"Shamir Henry had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend then inflicted the stab wounds on him."

It was actually a single stab wound - to the throat - cutting his windpipe and killing him almost instantly.

On the eve of her birthday, the 24 year old mother had killed her longtime boyfriend and the father of their 14 month old child - no ordinary act - particularly after they had spent the day together getting ready for their birthday:

Rose Henry, Mother of Deceased
"Just in the morning before this thing happen they came together to Belize together and he took her to my next daughter house and she did her hair and nails and everything getting ready for this birthday. Even we ourselves are wondering what could have gone sour in like 2 hours."

Jules Vasquez
"But then why would she go out on the street with a knife, with a blade."

Rose Henry, Mother of Deceased
"That is what we are trying to understand, Jules, if your boyfriend come and call why would you come out of the house with a knife in your hand? We are puzzled right now, we don't know why she did that."

The answer to that question is suggested in a history of abuse against Lino - so much so that Shamir's mother had cautioned her daughter-in-law against staying in a relationship with her son:

Rose Henry, Mother of Deceased
"I use to advise them over and over, Jules. I used to take that child by my own self and put her on the bus and take her to the police station for her to make her report and she turned around and tell them that she don't want any charge."

Jules Vasquez "Against your own son?"

Rose Henry, Mother of Deceased
"Yes because I know exactly what would have happened. I am a mother and I have 3 daughters and I wouldn't want anybody abuse my child, so I don't want see my son take advantage of anybody and she could attest to that."

Insp. Calbert Flowers
"This couple is no stranger to the police. We have dealt with several cases in the past with them."

Jules Vasquez
"These 2 have had a history of ups and downs. She has made a number of complaints against your son. Do you think the history of disputes had led to that stabbing last night?"

Rose Henry, Mother of Deceased
"Yes, I know it is that. But the thing is Jules, you see, we as the family we used to try intervene whenever we tell her that she is in an abusive relationship and you have to break away from it. I personally was trying to make my son leave. The police would arrest him and she goes to the police for them to let him out. But she believe that "Metro" was the only person that cares for her and that is why she stays with him no matter how he beats her. And that is what leads to it."

But they persisted and he kept on visiting her at the family home, but on the street because he was not allowed in the yard by her parents

Rose Henry, Mother of Deceased
"My son couldn't go to her house. He couldn't go inside the house and that is what I told him that a relationship like that cant last because the mother in law doesn't want them together and the best thing is to walk away. But he said that he doesn't want to leave his baby."

So despite disapproval form both families the self-destructing couple kept seeing each other and because of that stubborn determination, for this mother, her son's end was foretold

Rose Henry, Mother of Deceased
"That is the way it went; it went on and off. Sometime they are together; sweet and sometime they fall out and so I expect that something like this would happen."

But she was powerless to stop it and now her daughter in law is being detained for a homicide:

Insp. Calbert Flowers
"The female is in police custody since last night and the file is being compiled at this moment and we will refer to the DPP for directives."

Jules Vasquez
"Is it complicated somewhat because of the recorded history of abuse complaints in this case?"

Insp. Calbert Flowers
"Well we are in the process of recording statements and hopefully those statements will help us to determine whether this was a self defense or not."

Jules Vasquez
"Women who have had a recorded history of abuse; they don't get charged. Is it your wish in this case that the young lady who is the mother of your grandchild as well. Is it your wish that she get charged or that he not get charged?"

Rose Henry, Mother of Deceased
"Well I will be honest with you Jules, I am a mother and I know how I was going to feel to go to jail and leave my children there. If they wouldn't charge; I wouldn't look forward for a charge because the she have 2 other children, so she have 3 children."

And despite the wishes of the mother of the deceased, Leshawn Lino was charged with Manslaughter after 5:00 this evening. She remains in police lockdown and can only get bail after she is arraigned in court - which won't happen until Monday.

The Deceased is the son of Sgt. Percival Henry, while the accused is the daughter of Sgt. Damien Lino - and they both lived in the BDF housing site area of Lord's Bank Village.

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